Manfredonia, did you see what happened to Ndicka?
“I found out, but then I found out and they immediately reassured me.”
What idea did he have?
«He was always conscious, his heart didn’t stop, this was fundamental. There was a lot of fear, I can imagine, but I think it could be a manageable situation.”
His in Bologna, in that cold December of 1989, was much less manageable.
«I was almost dead. My heart stopped, I fell to the ground, having lost consciousness. I was lucky and so was Ndicka.”
Are you referring to relief efforts?
«In my case they were decisive, the defibrillator can save a life. As far as Ndicka is concerned, there was no need, but it was essential to be able to immediately have an electrocardiogram at the stadium. There they realized that there was an anomaly and took him to hospital to continue investigations.”
Aren’t there too many cases of illnesses like this in athletes?
«Yes, but they have always been there. They were there in my time, they were there before and we see them today too. It can depend on many factors, they cannot be united by just one problem. It depends from player to player. There are those who lost their lives on the pitch and those, like Astori, in their sleep.”
Eriksen was no longer able to play in Italy.
“Here there are stricter rules, less so in England and he was able to continue his career there.”
In your opinion, is Ndicka at risk of never being able to play again?
«I don’t know, I’m not a doctor and I haven’t spoken to the specialists who follow him, I can only make an assessment based on experiences: for what happened, for having left the camp conscious, I think he can resume his activity . Or at least let’s say I’m optimistic. Of course, there was a lot of fear.”
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